§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what methods are used by the Welsh Regional Hospital Board 436W to inform general practitioners, welfare workers and other interested persons and bodies of the availability of possum equipment for the severely disabled; and if copies of such documents or information can be made available to members of parliament.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe Senior Administrative Medical Officer of the Welsh Hospital Board writes periodically to all consultants in Wales likely to be interested to remind them of the availability of Possum equipment. Information is made available to, and demonstrations are arranged for professional meetings of occupational therapists.
Postgraduate facilities for training in the use of Possum equipment are to be introduced soon at Rookwood Hospital and a film of the unit at Rookwood is to be made for circulation throughout Wales. Visits to the unit are arranged for medical social workers, occupational therapists, welfare officers and district nurses.
Information about this equipment has been widely published nationally. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is arranging for a selection of documents to be sent to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many severely disabled persons in the Welsh Regional Hospital Board area were assessed for Possum equipment for the severely disabled; how many have eventually been prescribed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNine persons have been assessed and six were considered suitable. Four of them have received their equipment and two were offered equipment but refused it. In addition, 24 in-patients at Rockwood Hospital have been assessed: six were considered likely to benefit from the issue of Possum equipment on discharge from hospital.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many assessors are employed by the Welsh Regional Hospital Board in prescribing Possum equipment for the severely disabled; what training and instruction they have received; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasA consultant orthopaedic surgeon acts as the assessor 437W for Wales. He is assisted from time to time by two other doctors. All are experienced in dealing with the disabilities concerned and close contact is maintained with the Possum Research Project Group at Aylesbury.